Frontier Launches Free Checked Bag Promotion As Southwest Ends Legacy Policy, and More

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Free Checked Bags Return as Frontier Counters Southwest Policy Change

Frontier Airlines has launched a strategic promotion offering free checked bags on flights from May 28 to August 18, 2025, directly targeting customers disappointed by Southwest Airlines' recent decision to end its signature free baggage policy.

The promotion, which must be booked by March 24, also includes complimentary carry-on bags, seat selection, and flight modifications for nonstop journeys.

Frontier CEO Barry Biffle explicitly positioned the offer as a "divorce your old airline" deal, with a clear reference to Southwest's heart-themed branding.

Key Points

• Promotion requires booking by March 24 using promo code "FREEBAG" for travel through August 18

• May 28 start date for free checked bags deliberately coincides with Southwest's implementation of new baggage fees

• Frontier normally charges between $30-$55 for a first checked bag as part of its ultra-low-cost model

• CEO Biffle stated Frontier would consider making these perks permanent based on customer feedback

• Southwest will still offer free checked bags to elite status members, Business Select flyers, and credit cardholders

• Frontier is also planning to introduce first-class seating options later in 2025

What It Means

Frontier's opportunistic promotion represents a tactical shift in budget air travel, as airlines jostle to capitalize on Southwest's controversial policy change.

By timing the promotion to begin exactly when Southwest starts charging for bags, Frontier is making a clear play for disgruntled Southwest loyalists.

This temporary pricing strategy tests whether free bags could become a sustainable competitive advantage for Frontier going forward.

Other Key Aviation Industry Updates for Today 👇

2. Trump Selects Republic Airways CEO to Head FAA

President Trump nominated Bryan Bedford, CEO of Republic Airways, as FAA Administrator on March 17, 2025.

Bedford brings over 30 years of aviation experience, having previously led Mesaba Airlines and Business Express Airlines.

If confirmed, he'll work with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to reform the agency amid recent aviation incidents, including a January midair collision that killed 67 people.

The FAA has been without a permanent head since Mike Whitaker resigned on January 20, 2025.

3. Singapore Airlines and Salesforce Join Forces on AI-Powered Passenger Experience

Singapore Airlines has partnered with Salesforce to integrate AI technologies into its customer service operations.

The airline is implementing Agentforce, Einstein in Service Cloud, and Data Cloud into its case management system.

These tools will deploy autonomous agents to handle routine tasks while providing representatives with customer interaction summaries and personalized solutions.

The companies also plan to co-develop airline-specific AI solutions at Salesforce's Singapore research hub.

SIA has already developed over 250 AI use cases in the past 18 months, implementing about 50 across its operations.

4. Historic A380 Prototype Resumes Flight Testing After Three-Year Hiatus

The first Airbus A380 prototype (F-WWOW) returned to flight after nearly three years of storage in Toulouse, France.

The aircraft completed a three-hour test mission, marking the start of a new testing series aimed at certifying developments to maintain safety standards for the 189 A380s still in commercial service.

The superjumbo, which first flew in 2005, previously served as an engine testbed and was once earmarked for hydrogen propulsion testing before Airbus revised those plans in February 2025.

5. Delta Connection CRJ-900 Wing Strikes LaGuardia Runway During Aborted Landing

A Delta Connection CRJ-900 aircraft operated by Endeavor Air experienced a wing strike at LaGuardia Airport on Sunday, March 16, 2025.

During an unstable approach from Jacksonville, Florida, the left wing hit the runway at approximately 10:10 PM, creating visible sparks. The pilots executed a go-around procedure and landed safely on the second attempt.

All 80 occupants (76 passengers and 4 crew) were unharmed.

The aircraft has been removed from service for maintenance evaluation while the FAA investigates the incident.

6. Aviation Lessor CALC Reports 809% Profit Growth in 2024

China Aircraft Leasing Group reported strong 2024 annual results with revenue reaching HK$5,203.8 million, up 9.2% year-on-year. Profit attributable to shareholders surged 809.9% to HK$257.5 million.

The company expanded its global clientele, partnering with top-tier airlines like Lufthansa Group and Cebu Pacific Air.

As of December 2024, CALC had 124 aircraft on backlog and diversified its financing channels, including a US$400 million warehouse facility and RMB1 billion perpetual medium-term notes.

7. All Nippon Airways Entrusts 100 CFM56-7B Engines to MTU Maintenance Zhuhai

MTU Maintenance Zhuhai and All Nippon Airways signed a contract on March 17, 2025, for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of ANA's CFM56-7B engines.

The agreement runs until 2032, covering approximately 100 engines powering 47 Boeing 737NG aircraft.

This extends their 15-year partnership, with MTU providing services through its global network, including facilities in Zhuhai, Hannover, Vancouver, and Berlin-Brandenburg.

MTU held a 10% market share for CFM56-7B engines in 2024 and has completed over 1,400 shop visits on this engine variant alone.

8. Dnata Strengthens Position in Australian Aviation with Triple Airline Deal

Dnata secured multi-year catering contracts with Hainan Airlines, Tianjin Air, and Beijing Capital Airlines on March 17, 2025.

The global air services provider will deliver approximately 380,000 meals annually at Melbourne and Sydney International Airports for 19 weekly flights connecting Australia and China, serving about 200,000 passengers yearly.

Beijing Capital is the third HNA Group carrier to partner with dnata in Australia.

Dnata currently serves over 40 airlines across nine Australian airports with 4,000 staff, having delivered 60 million meals for 250,000 flights in 2023-24.

9. Breeze-Eastern Wins Five-Year Army Contract for Aircraft Winches

Whippany-based Breeze-Eastern Corporation secured a $63.1 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery requirements contract from the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation to supply aircraft mount winches for the U.S. Army.

The five-year agreement runs through March 31, 2030, with funding from the Army's fiscal 2025 working capital funds.

The limited competitive acquisition received only one response. Breeze-Eastern, a specialist in rescue hoists and cargo winches, continues its long-standing partnership with the military, reinforcing its position as a key supplier in the aviation sector.

10. Collins Aerospace Continues Job Cuts to Streamline Global Operations

Collins Aerospace announced 160 layoffs at its Cedar Rapids facility effective April 14, 2025. Employees were notified as part of a global cost-cutting strategy.

The company aims to "reduce complexity and increase efficiency" while reinvesting in high-priority programs to meet aerospace product demand. This follows 68 positions cut in October 2023.

Collins employs approximately 9,000 people in Iowa, with 7,000 based in Cedar Rapids, where its Avionics and Mission Systems divisions operate.